The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-09-07
NEW HAMPSHIRE RAILROADS.
Mr.. Mason OF Dover Opposes the
Haxen Bill.
An Alleged offer of $4,000 for Sem
ator Sawyer's Aid
Is Denied by the Representative Of
the Boston and Maine.

CONCORD, N. H., Sept. 6.-In the House
this morning discussion of the Hazen and
Atherten railroad bills was resumed.
Mr.. Mason of Dover spoke In opposition to
the passage of the Hazen bill. He said he
concurred with the statement heretofore
made that the legislation pending is the most
important ever presented for the law makers
OF the State. The motive in determining
this question should be TO do the greatest
good for the greatest number. Nothing can
do so much for the community as well-regu-
lated railroads, and any plan to put our rail-
road in the hands of foreign corporation
should be maturely considered before being
permitted. In New Hampshire the railroads
are controlled by the people. and not the
people by the railroads. The right Of rail-
roads to consolidate has been looked upon
without jealous eyes He maintained that
the Hazen bill was not, as asserted, simply
to perfect the Colby bill Of 1Ss3 The only
purpose of the Colby bill was to permit a
union Of the Eastern and the Maine into one
line, and of the roads In the Merrimack
valley in another. This claim Of the friends
Of the Hazen bill is simply . snbterfuge to
obtain special privileges. Neither the Low
ell, Boston and Maine, nor Concord under
stood In 1888 that the Colby bill conferred
any Of the special powers now claimed by
the Maine In this controversy. What then
shall be said at this attempt to palm off false
pretenses TO secure legislation. The Con-
cord and the Boston and Maine were part
ners In securing the passage Of the Colby
bill in 1888 and the latter road proposed TO
20 back on its position in the transaction.
The Concord road asked that the Maine be
compelled to keep its good faith in that tran
saction.
Competition was begun in railroad man
agement a few years since. Now 1t Is con-
solidation. There could be no doubt that
consolidation Of the property would result
for the benefit Of the people under the Colby
bill. A consolidation. Of the Eastern with
the Maine was authorized but 1t was viola
tiOn Of principle and in the long run it
would prove mistake. The reduction in
fares and freights was 80 small as to be in
appreciable. The same men in Andover and
Boston had made money in the bonds and
stock of the Eastern. But the public had
derived no benefit therefr0m.
The Boston and Maine demands to be
placed in possession of a separate and dis
tinct system in New Hampshire. To grant
them the request would be mistake and
would result in disadvantage to the people
of the entire State,-to those of the upper
section especially. Several States have
already passed restrictive legislation and
New Hampshire ought to follow their ex-
ample.
The speaker did not propose to champion
the Concord or urge with any great ard0r
the passage of the Atherton bill, but he did
believe in creating New Hampshire sys-
TEN running from the Canada line through
the Merrimack valley, to be controlled by
New Hampshire men. He believed his duty
to be to legislate for New Hampshire's inter
ests before considering those Of the rest of
the world. That he would leave to philan-
thropists. The Concord road is rich and
powerful, and has the capacity to assist the
weaker upper roads. This the corporation
comes law.
Hon. John w. Sanborn, who represents
the interests Of the Boston and Maine here,
this evening unequivocally denied all knowl-
edge of the alleged attempt to bribe Senator
Sawyer. He Indignantly repelled any insin-
uation OF completely upon the part of the
Boston and Maine or any of its friends.
Kirk ID. Pierce emphatically denied the
charge He said that at the proper time he
would make statement at length.